Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

 
 

Whether it’s just a little more help, or an entire project that needs funding, there are always avenues to help get your project off the ground.

Our goal with both Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds & "OutClass™ outdoor classrooms", patent pending , is to get your project funded and built as quickly as possible. The faster we’re able to install your playground or classroom, the sooner your children get outside and experience the first-hand benefits of engagement with nature.

Fundraising today is more competitive than ever before and it requires a sophisticated & strategic approach. Having raised millions of dollars for hundreds of projects, we offer this guide as a companion to our fundraising workshop. We hope this helps to make your dream a reality. Remember the old proverb, “the best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”.

Funding Opportunities

We’ve got our ear to the ground and constantly have our eyes peeled for new funding opportunities. Often, these are time sensitive, with application deadlines, or specifically geared towards a specific type of installation. We’ll keep our list of current, “live” grant and funding opportunities up-to-date on this page along with details on their coverage and application process.

Name of Funding Opportunity Location Type For Projects Deadline Link to Funding Opportunity
Ontario Trillium Foundation Ontario Improve Community Facilities Min: $10,000 - Max: $150,000 June 14, 2023 at 5PM ET Ontario Trillium Foundation
The ChariTree Foundation Canada Outdoor Classroom Max: $2,000 The ChariTree Foundation
NY State Parks Grant Program New York State Parks & Recreational Facilities to Preserve & Restore Land Min: $5,000 - Max: $250,000 4:00 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023 NY State Parks Grant Program
The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafitz Foundation Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Community Enhancement Min: $15,000 - Max: $900,000 Upcoming Deadline July 5, 2023 The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafitz Foundation
American Academy of Dermatology Association United States Shade Structure Grant Program Max: $8,000 October 1 - December 15, 2023 for the 2024 application American Academy of Dermatology Association
The Dekko Foundation Alabama, Indiana,Iowa,Minnesota Community Enhancement Ongoing The Dekko Foundation
New School Grant for Playgrounds Alberta Planning and Building Schools Max: $250,000 Ongoing New School Grant for Playgrounds
Community Facility Enhancement Program Alberta Community Facility Enhancement Program Max: $125,000 May 15, June 15, Sept 15 Community Facility Enhancement Program
Neighborhood Park Development Program (NPDP) Edmonton, Alberta Neighborhood Park Development Program Min: $15,000 - Max: $250,000 Ongoing Neighborhood Park Development Program (NPDP)
Edmonton Community Foundation Edmonton, Alberta Edmonton Community Foundation Min: $5,000 - Max: $20,000 Ongoing Edmonton Community Foundation
Calgary Building Community Calgary, Alberta Calgary Building Community Up to $30,000 October 2023 Calgary Building Community
Northern Development Initiative Trust British Columbia Community Development Up to $30,000 Ongoing Northern Development Initiative Trust
Richardson Foundation Winnipeg, Manitoba Community Improvement $1 Million Annually Ongoing Richardson Foundation
The Winnipeg Foundation Winnipeg, Manitoba Community Improvement Up to $100,000 October 2, 2023 The Winnipeg Foundation
North Carolina Schools Go Outside (GO) Grant North Carolina Funding for Outdoor Learning Ongoing North Carolina Schools Go Outside (GO) Grant
Gray Family Foundation Grant Oregon Outdoor Classroom Min: $5,000 - Max: $50,000 August 4, 2023 and October 20, 2023 Gray Family Foundation Grant
Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program (ORLPP) Massachusetts Community Improvement Min: $10,000 - Max: $300,000 Massachusetts Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grant Program (ORLPP)
Canada Healthy Communities Initiative Canada Community Improvement Opens May 14th Canada Healthy Communities Initiative
Friends of Acadia Outdoor Classrooms Maine Outdoor Classroom Ongoing Friends of Acadia Outdoor Classrooms
NC Heritage Advisory Council “Go Outside” Grant North Carolina Outdoor Classrooms Ongoing NC Heritage Advisory Council “Go Outside” Grant
Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund United States Education Pandemic Relief Ongoing Elementary & Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund
Community Impact/Classroom Boost Grant Providence, RI Outdoor Classroom Ongoing Community Impact/Classroom Boost Grant

Documents to Get Started

Bienenstock Design Process

Funding Your Natural Playground

Natural Playground FAQ’s